geo group: This May 19, 2015, file photo shows the Adelanto Detention Center in Adelanto, Calif., a desert community 70 miles 113 kilometres northeast of Los Angeles, according to Toronto Star. James Quigg / The Associated Press Inspectors found nooses in 15 of 20 cells they visited at the centre operated by the GEO Group for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and said guards told them that removing the sheets was not a high priority. The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General issued a scathing report after visiting the privately-run detention facility in the remote, desert city of Adelanto in May, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday. Some detainees said they used the braided sheets as clotheslines or unfurled them for privacy. Pablo Paez, a spokesman for GEO, referred questions about the report to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. One detainee told inspectors he had seen them used for attempted suicides and that the guards laugh at them and call them suicide failures' once they are back from medical, the report said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

internet series: I think that's a first, according to Vancouver Observer. And its creators see it as a modern continuation of a long storytelling tradition among the Haida. It is entirely in the Haida language. That's something of a mission for its two directors, Helen Haig-Brown who has already pursued it in a few documentaries and Gwaii Edenshaw, who's a carver and naturalist, has been working on an internet series and has a notable family connection. Better than all that, the film is gripping, exciting and visually stunning. His dad is Guujaaw, the former president of the Haida council. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

rights violators: Canada Border Services Agency guards are silhouetted as they replace each other at an inspection booth on the Canada-U.S. border in Surrey, B.C. Border services data shows that the number of people deemed inadmissible each year has been on a gradual decline from a peak of 9,131 in 2008 to 6,365 in 2016, according to Toronto Star. DARRYL DYCK / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILE PHOTO These individuals had come to Canada as permanent residents, visa students, foreign workers, visitors or refugees. The 267,449 foreign nationals included convicted criminals, human rights violators and terrorists identified by Canada Border Services Agency, which is tasked with getting them out of the country afterwards. While for some, their previous records went undetected before arrival, others were found to be inadmissible for offences committed while in Canada and ordered to leave. Over the decade, Americans topped the list of those deemed inadmissible, with a total of 63,590 being told they had to leave. Border services data obtained under access to information legislation shows that the number of people deemed inadmissible each year has been on a gradual decline from a peak of 9,131 in 2008 to 6,365 in 2016. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

study: It's the first federal study to look at how often adults eat fast food, according to CTV. An earlier study found a similar proportion of children and adolescents ate it on any given day. That's about 85 million people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the numbers Wednesday. The study did not find a difference between men and women. It's based on a survey of about 10,000 adults over four years. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

target minority: Quebec premier-designate Francois Legault said Tuesday his government would invoke the notwithstanding clause if necessary to safeguard its religious-symbol legislation against a court challenge, according to Toronto Star. Paul Chiasson / THE CANADIAN PRESS Genevieve Guilbault, elected for the Coalition in Quebec City's Louis-Hebert riding, said Quebecers gave the Coalition a clear mandate to prohibit public servants wielding authority from wearing religious symbols such as the Muslim hijab and Jewish kippa. As the Coalition prepared its entry into government at a meeting south of Montreal, it was on the defensive over policies seen to target minority religious groups and immigrants. Those who lose their jobs after refusing to respect the new rules will be the authors of their own misfortune, she said. Those people will be free to relocate to another job that will not be in an authority situation, she said. Guilbault said when the new law is adopted, there will be a transition period for any judges, police officers, teachers, prosecutors and prison guards affected. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

party: I can tell you, we will do the same thing we did in 2015 No personal attacks, strong differentiation on issues of policy, according to National Observer. I will not engage in personal attacks and none of our team will either. Speaking at a Liberal fundraiser in northwestern Toronto, Trudeau was adamant his Liberal party won't indulge in the expected mudslinging, saying positivity is the only way to go. ; We are now looking at perhaps what will be the most divisive and negative and nasty political campaign in Canada's history, Trudeau said. The lesson he said he took from the 2015 election in which his party went from third place to oust the Conservatives under Stephen Harper is that bringing people together is what matters. A positive, compelling message that brings people together, that refuses the politics of personal attacks, that refuses the politics of division of scare tactics whether its snitch lines or hijab attacks that kind of approach that Stephen Harper tried does not work, Trudeau said. His campaign then, he said, proved that it's better to treat voters as rational and intelligent citizens and not just blind consumers of the politics of fear. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

metis nation: Chief Terrance Paul, assembly co-chairman, says the only Aboriginal rights holders in Nova Scotia are the Mi'kmaq, according to Vancouver Courier. We are the original peoples of these lands, and we have spent decades establishing our treaty and Aboriginal rights and then working on the implementation of these rights, he said in a statement Wednesday. In a new memorandum of understanding, the groups have agreed to work together on the issue and educate the public about what they call legitimate Metis Nation and Mi'kmaq issues. article continues below Trending Stories Vancouver weather Temperatures dip to record low Vancouver man charged with allegedly exposing himself to more than 60 young women Vancouver Aquarium stirs up sharknado When street gangs ruled Vancouver Census data show the number of people who call themselves Metis soared nearly 125 per cent in Nova Scotia from 2006 to 2016, with dozens of new Metis groups cropping up over the same period. While the Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia continue to share our lands with others, both the Mi'kmaq and the Metis Nation have territorial homelands and their rights are recognized within the confines of their respective territories. Efforts by the new Metis to claim Indigenous rights and use identity cards that appear similar to Indian Status cards have fuelled a perception that the Aboriginal newcomers are so-called rights grabbers. The proliferation of self-reported Metis has emerged as a divisive debate. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

muslim hijab: Trudeau, however, insisted Wednesday that the clause should be reserved for exceptional circumstances and only deployed after lots of deep reflection about its broader ramifications, according to Vancouver Courier. It's not something that should be done lightly because to remove or avoid defending the fundamental rights of Canadians, I think it's something with which you have to pay careful attention, Trudeau, who represents a Montreal riding, said in French when asked about Legault's plan. The day after winning Monday's election, Legault vowed to use the powerful constitutional provision, if necessary, to uphold a proposal to prohibit some state employees in Quebec from wearing religious signs, including garments like the Jewish kippa and Muslim hijab.article continues below Trending Stories Vancouver weather Temperatures dip to record low Vancouver Aquarium stirs up sharknado Vancouver's Doolin's Pub, Belmont Bar, Comfort Inn closing this month for boutique hotel redevelopme Vancouver man charged with allegedly exposing himself to more than 60 young women Legault insisted such a ban is important enough to Quebecers that he's prepared to invoke the rarely used notwithstanding clause, which would override the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. As you know very well, I'm not of the opinion that the state should be able to tell a woman what she can wear, nor what she cannot wear. Legault's centre-right Coalition Avenir Quebec won a convincing majority mandate in the provincial election after promising voters it would carve out more autonomy for the province. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is there to protect our rights and our freedom. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

quebec louis-hebert: As the Coalition prepared its entry into government at a meeting south of Montreal, it was on the defensive over policies seen to target minority religious groups and immigrants.article continues below Trending Stories Vancouver weather Temperatures dip to record low Minimum wage increases go into effect June 1 across B.C. Genevieve Guilbault, elected for the Coalition in Quebec City's Louis-Hebert riding, said Quebecers gave the Coalition a clear mandate to prohibit public servants wielding authority from wearing religious symbols such as the Muslim hijab and Jewish kippa, according to Vancouver Courier. Those who lose their jobs after refusing to respect the new rules will be the authors of their own misfortune, she said. Public servants in positions of authority who refuse to remove religious symbols will be assigned to different jobs or dismissed, a spokeswoman for the Coalition Avenir Quebec transition team said Wednesday. Guilbault said when the new law is adopted, there will be a transition period for any judges, police officers, teachers, prosecutors and prison guards affected. It will be up to them at that point to make the necessary choice. Those people will be free to relocate to another job that will not be in an authority situation, she said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

something: CANpoli Quebec hijab Legault insisted such a ban is important enough to Quebecers that he's prepared to invoke the rarely used notwithstanding clause, which would override the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, according to National Observer. Trudeau, however, insisted Wednesday that the clause should be reserved for exceptional circumstances and only deployed after lots of deep reflection about its broader ramifications. ; It's not something that should be done lightly because to remove or avoid defending the fundamental rights of Canadians, I think it's something with which you have to pay careful attention, Trudeau, who represents a Montreal riding, said in French when asked about Legault's plan. The day after winning Monday's election, Legault vowed to use the powerful constitutional provision, if necessary, to uphold a proposal to prohibit some state employees in Quebec from wearing religious signs, including garments like the Jewish kippa and Muslim hijab.PM Justin Trudeau insists that the override clause in the Canadian Constitution should be reserved for exceptional circumstances. As you know very well, I'm not of the opinion that the state should be able to tell a woman what she can wear, nor what she cannot wear. Remove religious symbols or move to another job Legault's centre-right Coalition Avenir Quebec won a convincing majority mandate in the provincial election after promising voters it would carve out more autonomy for the province. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is there to protect our rights and our freedom. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

effect june: Since honorary citizenship was granted by a resolution passed by both houses of Parliament, the Senate and the Commons both had to pass motions to rescind the honour, according to Vancouver Courier. Suu Kyi is the first person to have her honorary Canadian citizenship revoked. The Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to strip Suu Kyi, Myanmar's civilian leader, of the symbolic honour bestowed on her in 2007.article continues below Trending Stories Vancouver Canucks tickets on Groupon start at 25Here's who's running for mayor in Vancouver this election'A Very Vegan Thanksgiving' to raise money for injured turkey's prosthetic leg Minimum wage increases go into effect June 1 across B.C. The upper house's move follows a similar unanimous vote in the House of Commons last week. The Senate has also followed the lead of the Commons in recognizing that the crimes against humanity committed by the Myanmar military against the Rohingya constitute a genocide. Ratna Omidvar, who tabled the motion to revoke Suu Kyi's citizenship Tuesday. We must recognize this atrocity for what it is, said Sen. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

election tuesday: We are a pragmatic party, according to Toronto Star. Quebec Premier-designate Fran ois Legault leaves after speaking to the media the day after winning the provincial election Tuesday. I am a pragmatic guy, Legault said at his first news conference since his Coalition Avenir Quebec won 74 of the province's 125 ridings. Legault says his party will stick to the controversial promises they made during their campaign. But the first provincial government since the 1960s to be neither Liberal nor Parti Quebecois will be strongly nationalist with a focus on the Quebec identity issues that helped bring it to power. Ryan Remiorz / THE CANADIAN PRESS He said he wants to build a strong Quebec inside Canada and to reduce Quebec's dependence on equalization payments from the federal government. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

force newcomers: The incoming government led by the centre-right Coalition could clash with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals over several files -- with Legault's contentious pledges on immigration as potential headliners, according to CTV. Legault won after vowing to lower Quebec's annual immigration levels by 20 per cent and to force newcomers to pass French and values tests within three years of their arrival -- or face removal from the province. Legault's Coalition Avenir Quebec won a majority mandate Monday following a provincial election that knocked Philippe Couillard's Liberals from power. Enforcement, however, for such expulsions would fall to Ottawa. LeBlanc told The Canadian Press he wants to sit down with Legault's eventual minister responsible for immigration once the Coalition takes office. The federal Liberals have a more open approach to immigration and, while LeBlanc said Tuesday that he'd like to learn more about Legault's intentions, he noted that governing is different than running an election campaign. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

children: The investigation also found that the department falsely claimed there was a central database shared by DHS and the Department of Health and Human Services used to keep track of separated parents and children, according to Toronto Star. People line up to cross into the United States to begin the process of applying for asylum near the San Ysidro port of entry in Tijuana, Mexico. The department's Office of Inspector General found that Customs and Border Patrol held hundreds of children in short-term facilities for longer than permitted and provided inconsistent or incorrect information to their parents. Homeland Security's watchdog says immigration officials were not prepared to manage the consequences of its zero tolerance policy at the border this summer that resulted in separation of nearly 3,000 children from parents. The investigation was demanded by members of Congress from both parties following public outrage over the family separations. Gregory Bull / The Associated Press file photo Investigators found no evidence that such a database exists, John Kelly, the department's acting inspector general, wrote in a memo. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

future growth: Think-tanks are warning the province faces a slow-moving demographic crisis that will restrict future growth and make it harder to pay for its generous social services, according to Toronto Star. Naturally, then, Quebec's new premier is promising to slash immigration to the province by almost a quarter next year a move that will make the well-documented demographic problems even worse. Business leaders are complaining they can't find enough workers. Premier-elect Francois Legault speaks to supporters as he celebrates after winning the Quebec provincial election. But it clearly made political sense for Fran ois Legault and his Coalition Avenir Qu bec CAQ party, which won a resounding majority victory in Monday's election. Paul Chiasson / THE CANADIAN PRESS No, it doesn't make sense, at least economic sense. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

jewish kippas: In a press conference on Tuesday, Legault said he will invoke the notwithstanding clause in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to impose a ban on wearing religious symbols and dress by anyone in a position of authority, according to Rabble. The move would prevent public servants who interact with the public, which would include teachers, from wearing religious garments -- from Muslim hijabs to Jewish kippas. And the new premier-elect and leader of the Coalition Avenir Qu bec, Fran ois Legault, wasted no time in announcing a move that will set a new tone. He said he would amend the Quebec charter of rights to push the ban through. The Liberals were not even close. The announcement comes less than 24 hours after the CAQ leader was swept to power, defying pollsters as he took a solid majority of seats -- 74 out of 125, with about 38 per cent of the popular vote. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

movement contexts: Scott Neigh interviews Maynard about the book, and about what she has learned via conversation with activists and organizers in the course of her touring about the book's uptake in movement contexts and about the state of Black struggles in Canada today, according to Rabble. Since its release in 2017, Policing Black Lives has been reviewed favourably, read widely, and discussed extensively. Since the publication of her book Policing Black Lives State Violence in Canada from Slavery to the Present Fernwood Publishing, 2017 she has been doing launch events and speaking engagements in communities across the country. Its positive reception has spanned the range from glowing coverage in many of Canada's mainstream newspapers to praise as meticulously-researched and compelling by legendary African American feminist scholar and activist Angela Davis, and it has been a Canada-wide bestseller. One of its central tasks is linking the many ways and contexts in which anti-Blackness is experienced in this country today to their roots in slavery and other features of anti-Black oppression that were integral to society in what is now Canada in earlier centuries. As the title promises, the book traces the long history of how Black people have been surveilled, policed, and subjected to state violence in Canada. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

newspaper awards: Although much of their work depicts politicians and others in the public eye, Macpherson's wife Dorothy insisted that her husband wasn't particularly political, according to Rabble. He just had an innate sense of right and wrong, or who was honest and who wasn't. MacKinnon, who still draws for the Halifax Chronicle Herald, has won seven National Newspaper Awards, and Macpherson, who died in 1993, won six for his excellent work for the Toronto Star. An icon in some of his cartoons was the disheveled figure of the common man, John Q. Public, who Macpherson depicted as an onlooker puzzled by the excesses and hypocrisy of public figures. It depicts a blindfolded Lady Justice being held down by Republican hands as her scales of justice lie beside her. That's what distinguishes Mac Kinnon's stunning cartoon that has gone viral on social media this week. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

today: Today we have marked history, according to CTV. Today there are many Quebecers who have put aside a debate that has divided us for 50 years. The Coalition Avenir Quebec was elected Monday as the province's new government, making it the first time since 1970 that a party other than the Liberals or the Parti Quebecois will be governing Quebec. Today there are many Quebecers who have demonstrated that we can work together, said Legault. I invite all men and women of goodwill to join us, to put their shoulder to the wheel to do more for all Quebecers. We were able to gather and it's in the spirit of gathering that I have the intent to govern for all Quebecers. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

values test: The target number would mean a 24 per cent drop from the roughly 52,400 immigrants Quebec accepted last year, according to CTV. We are concerned about any proposal to reduce the number of immigrants, said Montreal Board of Trade president Michel Leblanc. Leader Francois Legault, a former businessman, pledged during the campaign to chop the number of immigrants to 40,000 a year from 50,000 and require them to pass a language and values test after three years in the province. We need to have more. Legault, whose party won Monday's election with 74 of the province's 125 ridings, has said he wants to increase efforts to integrate immigrants and ensure they learn French, rather than ramp up the number of new arrivals. Leblanc said many areas of the province are now beyond full employment, with a demand for more qualified workers in sectors from hospitality to transportation to Quebec's flourishing tech scene. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigrants: We are concerned about any proposal to reduce the number of immigrants, said Montreal Board of Trade president Michel Leblanc, according to Vancouver Courier. We need to have more. Leader Francois Legault, a former businessman, pledged during the campaign to chop the number of immigrants to 40,000 a year from 50,000 and require them to pass a language and values test after three years in the province.article continues below Trending Stories Vancouver Canucks tickets on Groupon start at 25Here's who's running for mayor in Vancouver this election'A Very Vegan Thanksgiving' to raise money for injured turkey's prosthetic leg You'll be able to buy booze at two Vancouver beaches next year The target number would mean a 24 per cent drop from the roughly 52,400 immigrants Quebec accepted last year. Leblanc said many areas of the province are now beyond full employment, with a demand for more qualified workers in sectors from hospitality to transportation to Quebec's flourishing tech scene. Leblanc was skeptical. Legault, whose party won Monday's election with 74 of the province's 125 ridings, has said he wants to increase efforts to integrate immigrants and ensure they learn French, rather than ramp up the number of new arrivals. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

philippe liberals: The seven-year-old Coalition won a healthy majority mandate Monday that knocked Philippe Couillard's Liberals from power, according to Vancouver Courier. It promises to present Justin Trudeau with a far more complex and potentially combative relationship than what the prime minister experienced with Couillard's staunchly federalist party. For the first time in almost a half-century, a federal government will deal with a Quebec government that isn't independentiste nor particularly pro-Canada.article continues below Trending Stories Vancouver Canucks tickets on Groupon start at 25Here's who's running for mayor in Vancouver this election'A Very Vegan Thanksgiving' to raise money for injured turkey's prosthetic leg Here's who's running for city council in Vancouver this election The new chapter is being cracked open by Francois Legault, whose centre-right Coalition party has a central vision of obtaining more autonomy for Quebec within the Canadian federation. It's very, very different it's a new era, said Eric Montigny, a political scientist from Universite Laval in Quebec City. Couillard, this is a party that is more autonomist. Compared to Mr. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

quebec liberals: In their desire to stick it to the establishment, many Quebecers don't seem overly concerned by the major debates of our era, writes Toulas Take electionqc Quebec Election qcpoli In an extraordinary change of guard, Fran ois Legault's right-of-centre federalist party swept into power with 74 seats, ending almost 50 years of two-party rule, according to National Observer. The Quebec Liberals saw their support base shrink dramatically, winning only one quarter of the popular vote, which translated into 32 seats. The big question now is whether history will be kind to Quebec for resoundingly electing a majority, first-time Coalition Avenir Qu bec CAQ government without the checks and balances of a strong opposition. The left-of-centre Quebec solidaire QS tripled its seats, and for the very first time, gained support and recognition beyond the island of Montreal in a spectacular showing that exceeded partisan expectations, with 10 elected members. Quebec's tectonic political shift Quebecers seem to have tossed the political establishment ceremoniously aside for the still-new CAQ, which has never before formed government, and the QS, which is seen by many as the ideological and spiritual leader of the now almost-defunct PQ.A major tectonic shift has undoubtedly taken place in this province; one that won't fully be visible until perhaps the next election. What used to be the established choice for Quebec separatists, the Parti Qu b cois PQ appeared sclerotic next to the emerging QS, as it lost official party status, winning just nine seats. ; It's enough to make your head spin. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

st-pierre: St-Pierre served as minister of international relations and la francophone in Philippe Couillard's cabinet, according to National Observer. I can say after four years, we leave the books with balanced budgets, an unemployment rate which is very low, and also we are proud of what we have done, the economy of Quebec is booming, so ... the house is clean, and I congratulate all the candidates who are here tonight. Despite being re-elected in her Acadie riding Monday night, cabinet minister Christine St-Pierre said she was very disappointed, but the Liberals would now take on the role of holding the new Coalition Avenir Qu bec government accountable. ; We will continue because we have a very good party, the Liberal Party of Quebec is a party with roots, with history, she said. She added the CAQ could expect a strong opposition from the Liberals, and an eye on whether the new government kept its campaign promises. Photo by Jose Desmarais Time for change Couillard conceded the Liberals' loss about an hour after polls closed Monday night, from his home town of Saint-F licien, north of Quebec City. Liberal MNA and former cabinet minister Christine St-Pierre watches Quebec election results in Montreal on Oct. 1, 2018. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

values test: We are concerned about any proposal to reduce the number of immigrants, said Montreal Board of Trade president Michel Leblanc, according to National Observer. We need to have more. Leader Fran ois Legault, a former businessman, pledged during the campaign to chop the number of immigrants to 40,000 a year from 50,000 and require them to pass a language and values test after three years in the province. ; The target number would mean a 24 per cent drop from the roughly 52,400 immigrants Quebec accepted last year. Leblanc said many areas of the province are now beyond full employment, with a demand for more qualified workers in sectors from hospitality to transportation to Quebec's flourishing tech scene. Leblanc was skeptical. Legault, whose party won Monday's election with 74 of the province's 125 ridings, has said he wants to increase efforts to integrate immigrants and ensure they learn French, rather than ramp up the number of new arrivals. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

defence officials: Defence officials shored up the vetting process, and planned to relaunch the program earlier this month, according to CTV. But there was an unexpected barrier when Homeland Security officials said they would not be able to protect new immigrant recruits from being deported when their temporary visas expired after they signed a contract to join the military, the U.S. officials said. The decade-old program has been on hold since 2016 amid concerns that immigrant recruits were not being screened well enough, and security threats were slipping through the system. They were not authorized to publicly describe internal discussions and spoke on condition of anonymity. Mattis, a combat veteran of multiple war tours, has fought with and commanded foreign nationals, and he believes their service adds to the lethality of America's fighting force, according to the officials. The program is called Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest program, or MAVNI. The plan to restart it was backed by Defence Secretary Jim Mattis, who believes that noncitizens can bring key skills, language abilities, and cultural knowledge to the military. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.